JuJu Watkins, the sensational sophomore who led Southern California to its finest season in practically 40 years, was honored Thursday as The Related Press ladies’s basketball Participant of the Yr. Duke’s Cooper Flagg captured the equal award on the lads’s facet.
Watkins, whose Trojans received the Large Ten regular-season title for his or her first convention crown in 31 years, obtained 29 votes from the 31-member nationwide media panel that votes on the AP High 25 every week. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo received the opposite two. Each have been first-team AP All-People.
“I believe what’s so vital about this award is that this was a yr that didn’t have an absence of expertise and stars, and JuJu discovered a technique to elevate herself and her staff,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb stated.
Watkins grew to become simply the fourth participant to win the award in her sophomore yr, becoming a member of Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2007) and UConn stars Maya Moore (2009) and Breanna Stewart (2014). The AP began giving out the award in 1995 and Watkins is the primary Trojans participant to win it.
“She makes plenty of issues that aren’t straightforward look straightforward,” Gottlieb stated. “It’s one factor to say she’s a generational expertise, however one other to really do it and put your self up with names like Stewie, Maya and Courtney Paris.”
Watkins is already within the high 10 on USC’s profession scoring checklist, rating ninth. She was averaging 23.9 factors, 6.8 rebounds and three.4 assists earlier than her season was lower quick within the NCAA Match with an ACL damage suffered within the second spherical towards Mississippi State.
Watkins accepted the award by way of Zoom from Los Angeles.
“I’m simply so honored to be acknowledged on this trend,” she stated. “I need to thank my teammates, my wonderful coaches, my household and mates. They made all this potential. I really feel so blessed to have the ability to do what I like.”
AP Coach of the Yr Cori Shut praised Watkins for what she’s completed on and off the courtroom.
“I’ve been capable of see what she does for underserved communities and her dedication to actually keep true to serve the place she got here from,” Shut stated. “I do know that everyone is aware of what a tremendous basketball participant JuJu Watkins is, however I believe that is an unbelievable award as a result of I do know her coronary heart of service and I need to congratulate her for what she’s completed.”
Watkins raised her recreation towards the very best opponents. Within the six video games towards groups in AP high 10, she averaged 26.2 factors, 7.3 rebounds and a pair of.4 blocks whereas taking pictures 35.4% from behind the 3-point line.
“She carried out her finest on the greatest moments,” Gottlieb stated. “I believed she actually all through the course of the yr discovered learn how to dominate and empower the others.”
Watkins, together with her signature “JuJu bun” coiffure, is already one of many high attracts within the sport with endorsement offers to match, and seeing her in particular person has grow to be a warmer ticket.
The Trojans’ common house attendance rose to five,932 this season from final yr’s 4,421. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, Jason Sudeikis, Michael B Jordan and Sanaa Lathan, who starred in Love & Basketball, one among Watkins’ favourite films, have proven up. The yr earlier than she arrived, attendance averaged 1,037.
“It’s exhausting to overlook Snoop Dogg in his customized JuJu jacket,” Gottlieb stated. “This occurred organically and authentically. She determined to remain house and cares about her metropolis and has the magnetism to draw individuals. It’s the way in which she carries herself. She’s assured, however very humble and true to her group. It’s wonderful to see her influence.”
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